So I have a learning remote control that doesn't work that well anymore. I want to use the IR LED in it to act as an IR receiver, then use another IR led to act as a emitter. Yep, you got it, I'm trying to build an IR range finder (more like an IR wall detector). Anyone know anything about Learning remote control IR LEDs?

Yes I will eventually buy IR rangefinders for my bot, but for now, I have no money, and I want to see if I can figure this one out.

EDIT: If you don't know what a learning remote control does... well, you push a learn button, then use another remote control to emit the frequency you want, then whatever button you tell the learning remote to use that frequency for, it will.

They can be configured to sense IR light - search for LED as a light sensor.

Yeah I've seen that done before, and in fact I was doing that a few seconds ago. I saw this video...LEDs as sensors!

and if you look in the description it says the leds are switched from forward bias (normal hookup i think), reverse bias (acts as capacitor) and discharging () I'm not sure what that last state is? Is that when you'd measure the voltage?

I actually made it to a state science fair with this kind of stuff Basically, reverse voltage the LED for 1 microsecond, end the reverse voltage, and measure the voltage coming out of the LED(from its capacitance), and time the time it takes to reach a certain point. That time varies depending on the incoming light.